1776Reporting
The Battle of Okinawa, which began just before Germany’s surrender in Europe, was the last major clash in the Pacific during World War II. It was a bloody and costly endeavor, with both sides suffering enormous casualties. The fighting stretched on for 82 days, leading to a devastating toll on soldiers and civilians alike.
The Allies’ Final Push Before Invasion
Starting on April 1, 1945, the battle kicked off with the largest amphibious landing of the Pacific campaign. American forces aimed to capture strategic locations on Okinawa, including Kadena Air Base, which was seen as crucial for the next planned operation—the invasion of Japan itself, codenamed Operation Downfall.
The invasion of Okinawa was backed by the powerful US Navy Fifth Fleet, with troops from the 96th and 7th Infantry Divisions leading the charge. As they pushed south, they faced strong resistance from Japanese forces, particularly near Shuri, where Lt. Gen. Mitsuru Ushijima had created a defensive stronghold. What followed was some of the fiercest fighting of the Pacific War, with heavy losses on both sides.
The Fierce Battle for Kakazu Ridge
Once Shuri was secured, the Americans shifted their focus to capturing Kakazu Ridge, a key defensive position for the Japanese. The fight for the ridge was grueling, as Japanese soldiers took shelter in fortified caves, making the battle even harder for American troops. The use of civilians by Japanese forces to resupply their troops further complicated matters, leading to devastating losses among Okinawan civilians.
Despite the overwhelming challenges, the Americans continued their offensive. The Japanese launched several counterattacks but couldn’t withstand the superior firepower of the Allied forces. Eventually, the Japanese retreated, though at great cost to both sides.
Airfields Secured, Fighting in the North
Within hours of the initial landings, US forces secured Kadena and Yomitan airbases, providing a crucial advantage for future operations. This early success allowed the Americans to shift their focus northward, capturing strategic areas like the Motobu Peninsula, where the 6th Marine Division led the assault.
The fight for Mount Yaedake, a heavily wooded and rocky region, was particularly challenging, but American forces managed to take control of it by mid-April. The Japanese responded with a daring commando raid on Yomitan Air Base, known as Operation Gi-gou, but the attackers were ultimately killed, and the base remained in American hands.
Kamikaze Attacks and Naval Warfare
While much of the fighting took place on land, the naval battle off Okinawa’s coast was just as intense. Starting in early April, Japanese kamikaze pilots launched waves of suicide attacks on the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet. On April 6, 1945, a fleet of 400 aircraft initiated these devastating strikes, with Operation Ten-Go following closely behind.
Operation Ten-Go, led by the mighty battleship Yamato, was the Japanese Navy’s final large-scale effort to break the American forces. In a last-ditch attempt, 10 Japanese vessels headed for Okinawa, but the US intercepted them. American air power overwhelmed the Japanese fleet, sinking the Yamato and five other ships.
Throughout the naval engagements, kamikaze pilots continued to wreak havoc on the American fleet. Although no major US ships were lost, numerous smaller vessels were damaged, and 763 American planes were downed. In contrast, the Japanese lost over 1,400 aircraft and 16 ships, a devastating blow to their military capability.
The Deadliest Battle in the Pacific
Okinawa was the bloodiest battle of the Pacific Theater. Estimates suggest over 12,000 American troops were killed, alongside 110,000 Japanese soldiers. Civilian casualties ranged from 40,000 to 150,000, making it a tragedy for both combatants and the local population.
Originally, Okinawa was intended to be the staging ground for Operation Downfall, the planned invasion of Japan. However, after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan surrendered, and the operation was never carried out.
“Kadena remains under American control as the largest and most active US Air Force base in East Asia,” while Yomitan, which was turned over to the Japanese government in 1996, is now a community complex.
The Battle of Okinawa’s staggering loss of life and destruction ultimately played a crucial role in ending the war, leaving behind a legacy of both tragedy and strategic importance.
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